Classic Recap- Thoughts on the Protaganists

Tom Boonen- The majority of the Flemish press had written him off, as had many of his competitors, but the Lion of Flanders showed his worth in Paris Roubaix. By failing to win any of the minor semi-classics, Boonen had given doubt to his exceptional ability. In truth, he likely learned the mistake of giving too much in minor races such as Dwaars Door Vlaandaren and the E3 Prijs. His rampaging performance in Flanders showed he was right on track, one doesn't blow the majority of the peloton off one's wheel on the Koppenberg merely by chance. He also benefited from a teammate up the road and as such, didn't have to dig too deep in the finale, thus putting him at an advantage over rivals who were murdering themselves in the pursuit. When Roubaix came around, he made sure to put himself in a position to unleash his fearsome form. Team tactics worked to his advantage as he was able to counter Devolder's move and attack to form the winning break. Having far more of his reserves left than either Cancellara or Ballan, the sprint was a foregone conclusion and Boonen put many bike lengths into his breakaway companions, thus silencing the critics who felt Boonen no longer had what it took to win a major classic.


Fabian Canellara- Cancellara represents the biggest motor in cycling now that Ullrich has fallen from grace. Unfortunately, even the biggest motor in the world cannot be run at top speed for months on end. While he was clearly impressive, and a step above his Flanders performance, Cancellara was well on the tail end of the peak that allowed him to ride the Milan-San Remo peloton from his wheel. That he was able to contribute to the winning break after so long at such a high level belies his phenomenal talent. It is not hard to imagine that if at his best, his attack in the Carrefour de L'arbre section would have ended the race for his competition, rather than crippling him with cramps, keeping him from even being able to stand and sprint in the velodrome.


Allesandro Ballan- Ballan is a fighter and is clearly the heir to Ballerini for Italian classics glory. His tenacity was impressive throughout the week, particularly so in Flanders where the pressure of a title defense as well as a heavy fall would've derailed lesser men. Nonetheless, fighting to a fourth place was a sterling ride and indicative of his overall class. He also possesses an astute tactical awareness that allowed him to sense the danger move at Roubaix and mark the necessary wheel to bring him to the podium. All said, however, he is not quite the same caliber as either Boonen or Cancellara and it is likely that a full strength Ballan may only have moved one step higher on the podium in a similar scenario. That said, his aggressive riding style and tactical sense will likely net him further classics victories in the future, likely more prestigious than the Vattenfall Cyclassics.


Stuart O'Grady- O'Grady played a remarkable team role in Roubaix and his move with Devolder in the closing sections of the race put an end to Leif Hoste's chances and confirmed his 2007 win was not a fluke. While a remarkable rider in his own right, and one that is clearly benefiting from Bjarne Riis's career revitalization skills, it is likely that O'Grady, like Servais Knaven, will continue forward as a super domestique and will not enjoy the same protected status in CSC that will be given to Cancellara.



Stijn Devolder- Devolder's win in Flanders was a long time coming. One needs only to watch the 2005 Het Volk to witness his sheer power and talent. That talent is often tempered by over enthusiasm and his propensity for spending far too much time on the front has put paid to many chances. In the Postal-Discovery organization, it was likely that his talent would be squandered with ill-advised attempts at the Vuelta GC and further wins in smaller semi-classics, but at Quick-Step, Devolder has immediately been able to seize on his potential and has the full strength of the Quick Step juggernaut behind him. He will continue to enjoy joker status and provided he does not out grow this role, as Fillipo Pozzato did following his 2006 Milan San-Remo win, Devolder will find a much more fruitful career at his new team.


Fillipo Pozatto- Pozatto didn't have it this week. It would seem that undisputed leader may be a bit too much for him and he likely would've been better off remaining with Quick Step and taking his opportunities as they came, rather than trying to go head to head with his old boss. His talent is indisputable, but it feels as if his head isn't fully in the game. Still, it is hard to ignore his declaration of an impending stage win at Autun in the 2007 Tour and his subsequent follow through. Such hubris coupled with the ability to back it up is the mark of a true champion and if Pozatto can maintain focus, he could share the Italian classics spotlight with Ballan in the future.


Leif Hoste- Hoste, while powerful, is in danger of becoming a classics also-ran. Luck ruined his shot at Flanders this year and he was the victim of a dramatically superior Quick Step/CSC tandem at Roubaix. Hoste's decision to leave Discovery to become undisputed leader at Lotto makes sense on paper, but at the time of his departure, Discovery had a far more powerful classics team. No one doubts his ability, but a string of near misses, coupled with his poor 2008 showing have to be getting in his head and he is quickly running out of time to right his ship.


Magnus Backstedt- It is appalling that a 200lb rider, with experience in Paris Roubaix, opted for a pair of deep section carbon tubulars while all his competitors utilized time tested traditional wheels. This fool hardy decision ended his chances in the Forest of Arenberg and provided the engineers at Zipp with some much needed humbling. Regardless of his teammates success on a similar set up, Backstedt's girth should have made the decision for him. Such poor judgment, not lack of strength, kept Backstedt from succcess.


George Hincapie- Despite the obvious physical attributes needed to succeed in the classics and despite now being on a team capable of supporting his goals, George Hincapie will never win a major classic. Unless he sits on the right wheel for the entire day before putting his wheel in the wind for a victory, Hincapie will always come up short. Unfortunately for George, that is not a tactic that works at Prais Roubaix as there will never be the opportunity to play the "I'm sitting in for Lance" card that netted him his biggest win to date.


All photos copyright 2008 Graham Watson